When to Call the Doctor During Your Cancer Journey
There are no silly questions when it comes to your cancer journey!
Navigating normalcy while you’re going through your cancer journey can be confusing a lot of the time. What’s normal for one person may not always be normal for everyone, so ultimately it’s important for you to pay attention to your body and talk things through often with your caregiver and cancer care team.
Side effects of cancer treatment can be different for everyone, but there are several items that you and your caregiver need to be aware of. A crucial thing to remember is to ask your doctor lots of questions during your appointments. Anything that you are curious about, be sure to ask. There are no silly questions when it comes to your cancer journey!
Here are some things to look out for:
- A temperature above 100.4° F or higher
- Blood in your urine
- Chills that cause you to shake
- Confusion
- Chest pains/Shortness of breath
- Strong headache with neck stiffness
If you are experiencing, or start experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to call your doctor immediately. It’s always better to be safe than for things to possibly worsen.
Side effects from cancer treatment can sometimes be quite serious. Here is a list of side effects that need immediate attention should they occur:
- Infection
- Tumor lysis syndrome
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
Remember, it’s always ok to call and check in with your cancer team if you’re ever worried about something you’re experiencing. We’re only a phone call away.
